Numbering System
: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks the history of all known Mexican wolves. Capital letters preceding the number indicate adult animals two years or older (M = Male, F = Female). Capital letter "AA"@ preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves. Lower case letters indicate sub-adults or pups (m = male, f = female).Note:
A "Missing Collared Wolves"@ section has been added indicating those radio collars that have gone off the air. When a wolf has been missing for three months or longer, we will no longer continue to report them with their pack affiliation, but instead will list them in this section.WOLF PACK NEWS:
Lupine Pack (m632 + pups m678, f679, m680): New Mexico
On December 26, 2001 m632 was located south of Datil, NM on the San Agustin plain on private land outside of the recovery area. He was observed feeding on a cow carcass. Although there was no indication m632 had killed the cow, the landowner did not want the wolf on his property and requested that we remove him. On January 1, 2002 m632 was trapped and transferred to the Engineer Springs management pen for future release. The status of the pups is unknown as they have not been seen since the pack was released on June 20, 2001.
Wildcat Pack (M578): New Mexico
Project personnel last located M578 near Reserve, NM on November 29. Several search flights have been conducted since then, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
Saddle Pack (AM574, AF510, f646, m647): Arizona
AM574, AF510, and f646 have been using the area along East Eagle Creek and Hot Air Canyon. Yearling m647 has traveled from the Mormon Lake area south of Flagstaff to an area southeast of Snowflake over the last week. Repeat observations indicate that his left hind leg is still injured.
Hawks Nest Pack (AM619, AF486): Arizona
The pair has moved regularly along the Campbell Blue drainage between Forest Service Road 37 and Highway 191.
Bonito Creek Pack (AM674, AF587): Arizona
AM674 and AF587 continue to use the area around Pacheta Lake.
Cienega Pack (AM194, AF487, F621): Arizona
The alpha pair has been using the area around Raspberry Basin between Strayhorse and the Blue River. Female F621has occasionally been located separate from her parents but most recently, she has remained with them.
Francisco Pack (AM509, AF511, m641, m642, m643, f644): Arizona
The alpha pair and the collared female yearling, f644, have been using the area between Malay Gap and Freezeout Mountain. The status of the male yearlings is unknown since they are not radio collared.
Pipestem Pack (AM190, AF628): New Mexico
AM190 and AF628 continue to travel together and have been using the area between Snow Lake and Indian Creek along the Middle Fork of the Gila River.
MISSING COLLARED WOLVES
M555 (Gavilan Pack "B last signal 02/12/00)
M627 (Pipestem Pack "B last signal 07/02/00)
F189 (Mule Pack "B last signal 02/02/01)
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
Nothing to report
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
Nothing to report.
INCIDENTS
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL
Two new volunteers, Jon Trap and Brad Bartett started with the project on January 7 and will be helping with wolf monitoring and data collection.
REWARDS OFFERED
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the recent deaths of three Mexican gray wolves. An additional $5,000 is being offered by the Center for Biological Diversity. The Lupine Pack alpha female, AF169, was found dead on November 15 near Maverick Mountain on the White Mountain Apache Reservation; Saddle Pack yearling female, f645, was found dead on November 5 near Forest Road 117, south of Highway 60, in the Greens Peak area near Vernon; and Lupine yearling male, m630, was found December 3, 18 miles northwest of Springerville, south of Highway 60 in Apache County, Arizona. Necropsy results are pending in these deaths.
Investigations into the illegal killing of four other Mexican gray wolves are also still being conducted.
"$ Campbell Blue pack alpha female AF174 was shot on August 7, 1998, the opening day of bear hunting season in the Williams Valley area near Alpine, Arizona.
"$ Hawks Nest male m532 was found dead near the Arizona/New Mexico state line on November 7, 1998. Death resulted from shooting.
"$ Hawks Nest male m531 was found dead on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on November 23, 1998. Death resulted from shooting.
"$On December 18, 2000, Francisco Pack yearling male m590, was found dead approximately "2 mile north of Highway 12, in the Apache National Forest"=s Divide wood cutting area near Aragon, New Mexico. Death resulted from shooting.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful should call one of these three agencies: Service special agents in Mesa at (480)835-8289 or in Pinetop at (928) 367-5689; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.
The killing of a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of Federal and State
